Within a decade, it is expected that China will have as many nuclear warheads deployed as the United States. Pentagon estimates suggest that Beijing will have 1,500 operable nuclear weapons by 2035.

Russia is again threatening the use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine, as the country lowers its own threshold for when it might use those kinds of weapons.

The US sees no reason to adjust its nuclear posture in response to Russia’s decision to lower the threshold for using atomic weapons, a National Security Council spokesperson said.

The U.S. is reacting to Vladimir Putin approving a change to Russia's nuclear doctrine that lowers the threshold for a potential nuclear strike. CBS News' Holly Williams and Weijia Jiang have the latest on the escalating tensions.

Escalating tensions between Russia and the United States have wide implications for global security. The tensions are also impacting an important source of U.S. electricity: nuclear power plants.